Future is bright for locals at MSHCA All-Star games

On Saturday, Matt Kustra was among the Daily News area participants in the fourth annual MSHCA Boys All-Star Classic at the DCU Center and recorded a pair of goals in helping the South top the North, 9-2.

As talented as he is on the lacrosse field, Natick's Matt Kustra is also among the area's top hockey players.

Despite spraining his ankle in the first period of the Redhawks' postseason defeat to Archbishop Williams, Kustra, a senior, was Natick's leading scorer on the ice this winter.

On Saturday, Kustra participated in the fourth annual MSHCA Boys All-Star Classic at the DCU Center and recorded a pair of goals in helping the South top the North, 9-2.

But beyond the glory of scoring two goals in an All-Star game, Kustra has been focusing on what lies ahead for him, whether it be hockey or lacrosse.

"I'm still in the process of deciding. I'm not really sure, but I know I've got to decide soon," he said. "I really don't even know what I want to do. I could play juniors for hockey, I've got a few prep schools in mind for hockey, and I've been recruited by a couple of colleges for lacrosse.

"I really have no idea, but I know that whatever I choose, it's going to be the best decision for me."

Kustra is in a similar position to many hockey players who have worn their high school jerseys for the final time. Some will play in college and others might play in juniors, but there's also the options of going to prep school, not playing at all, or playing a different sport in college, like Franklin senior Hannah Magerman.

"I'm going to be playing field hockey at Merrimack College," said Magerman, who was part of the South team that fell 4-2 to the North in the first annual MSHCA Girls All-Star Classic, played right before the boys game. "It was fun playing here to end my hockey career and it was nice to play with girls that are at my level. I had a great four years with coach (Margie) Burke."

As for Hudson senior Jeff Hamelin, he only played one full season with the Hawks in his three years on varsity due to a hand injury, which he suffered this year, and a collarbone injury, which he suffered last year when Hudson won a state title. But that doesn't mean he won't be continuing his hockey career.

"I've already talked to the Junior Bruins, so I'm going to do that for a year and then see what I can do after that," he said. "I just want another year to play hockey, it'll be fun. I do want to eventually play in college, so I think it will give me an extra boost."

Then there's the case of Medway senior Jack Kilty, who played juniors last season as a Medway High junior before rejoining the Mustangs this year. After a fine season is which he helped lead Medwayto the state semifinals, Kilty will most likely be back at it in juniors next year.

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"I'm hopefully going to play some juniors, but I'm going to go try out for the USHL and then who knows, maybe something around here," he said after notching a goal and an assist. "I've got to get my grades up a little bit and hopefully I can play some good juniors and get some commitments out of it. I'm excited to go back to juniors. There's a lot of talent out there and it'll make me push myself harder."